The Sapphire Queen

Blood

Dagger

I feel the pain that person is feeling, a sharp stabbing pain in the chest.

What’s this? Why can I feel it?

I’m trembling. I’m scared.

“This is for you, mate,” someone whispers, and everything blackens.

AMILIA

We arrive at the grand hall, where all vampires, hybrids, and purebloods that are not mated gather to find their mates.

The grand hall is an extension of the royal palace. The building was built in the Victorian style, just like our castle.

It’s beautiful; there’s art everywhere, with drawings of past events on the walls and ceilings. The chandeliers and windows make the hall look alive. It is perfect for us vampires and our odd tastes.

There’s one peculiar thing about this place: gold. Everything is made of pure gold. Now I wonder if they also make golden toilets.

As we walk through the hallways, I notice a lot of vampires staring in our direction. Some bow, and some just whisper among themselves. They feel scared. I can sense it.

Everyone there knows who we are: the Vlad family, royal purebloods, strong vampires, and on par with the royal family, the Karatzas.

My family descends from a strong generation of vampires, vampires that can wield magic, just like the royal family, but with only one of each generation being born to wield it.

As the only girl in the family, I am born with it. You might wonder why me and not my brother, Caspian.

I was born with a unique trait, sapphire eyes, and I’m also a direct descendant of the count himself, Count Vladimir Dracula.

Anyone might think the royal family should be the descendants of the count, but they’re not; it’s us, which has made us some enemies among the clans.

The reason I’m a direct descendant and the king isn’t is that I have eyes that look like rocks. My magic comes from these. My long jet-black hair and sapphire eyes complement my features well.

And so, it is for this reason and because I carry the blood of our original creator.

Also, the few people who have seen me dared to be gallant with me, even some nasty old leeches of the council, which I had the pleasure of killing. I remember it well.

***

I’m sitting under the shade of the apple trees that decorate our garden. It is a cloudy afternoon; the air is feeling chilly.

I’m spending my time sitting back, reading a book, and sipping on my tea, waiting for my grandfather’s guests to leave.

I am aware the entire council is here at a meeting. So being outside is my best choice since no one will disturb me.

As I calmly read along, a figure crosses my view, making me look up, and I instantly regret it. I force my face not to scowl as one of the council leeches makes its way toward me.

“Splendid afternoon,” he says, then takes a seat across from me without my permission.

“May I help you, sir?” I ask, forcing my annoyance not to show on my face.

“Would you mind if I join you?”

I know it is a bad idea, especially because I want to be left alone, not disturbed by someone who needs to be somewhere else.

He smiles, making my hands grip the cup I hold in my hand tightly to the point it could break. But ignoring him, I return my attention to my book.

He starts babbling about how he loves the palace and how he enjoys being there with me. The disgusting bastard can’t even pretend to lie well.

Forcing a smile, I continue to focus on my book until I feel his hand sliding up my thigh. The bastard has the audacity to touch me, someone he shouldn’t touch without permission.

I’ve had enough, and something in me snaps.

The councilman looks stunned for a second before I grasp his hand and twist it on the table, making him scream in pain.

My patience is at its limit.

I start insulting him, and then he raises his hand, slapping me across the face hard enough for the servants to hear it.

I never thought that one day I would get slapped by someone of lower rank than me. Clearly, this one is seeking his death today.

So with anger blinding me, I pull the only dagger within my reach and slit his throat. Blood ruins the entire table, but I don’t care. Then, furiously, I finish the job and behead him.

Every servant looks shocked by what I did, but no one crosses me or dares to belittle me ever. So, as a warning, I take the head to my grandfather and his other leeches who are in a meeting.

All I do is drop the head and then turn on my heel, leaving them confused. Of course, my grandfather questions me, but once I explain, he understands my reasons.

After this incident, no one dares to approach me anymore.

***

Now here I am, walking with Caspian through this magnificent place, where I know a couple of those old councilmen might be—roaming the palace and seeking any innocent woman who could tend to their disgusting pleasures.

I might even see some of them in the event; not many vampires are mated. Even though our lineage isn’t that big, some are still without mates.

“Amilia?” Caspian calls, distracting me from my thoughts.

“Is something the matter, brother?” I ask.

“Yes, you’ve been spacing out,” Caspian points out. His worried eyes don’t leave my face. “We are almost there. I hope you’re ready.”

Ready? I don’t think I’m close to ready. I’m feeling nervous again. My hands start to sweat. Something has been bothering me since we left home.

I have this awful feeling that something, or someone, might appear and ruin everything.

My gut keeps telling me to turn around and leave the fucking place.

As we head to the double doors, there is this young vampire—or should I say old?—standing with a book in his arms. He must be one of the palace butlers.

As we approach him, he looks up, and surprise flashes on his face. It takes him a second to stop staring at Caspian and me before composing himself.

People who see my eyes for the first time have curiosity, wondering if their minds are playing some sort of trick.

Clearing his throat, he asks Caspian for our names. Once checked, he asks us to follow him, but I’m rooted to the spot. I can’t move, I’m scared, and I’m sweating like crazy.

Caspian is gripping my arm, warning me not to do anything stupid as we both stand like idiots in front of the doors.

I keep looking around to see if I spot someone I know or if this feeling is just me being paranoid.

“Amilia, what’s the matter?” Caspian asks. “You’ve been fidgeting for a while.”

“Can we not go in?” I whisper.

“No, we have to go in. We are late, and our grandfather is waiting for us. Now move, Amilia.” Caspian tugs at my arm.

Is there no other choice? Could I use an excuse: a bathroom or fresh air?

Hearing a sigh, I turn my face to find my brother looking down at me.

“Look,” he says, holding my chin. “We go in, and if in twenty minutes you don’t find your mate, we will leave, okay?”

Slowly, I nod, then his fingers leave my face.